In the bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand, the magical Loy Krathong festival took place on November 27 and 28, 2023, merging old customs with new ideas. This yearly celebration, famous for lighting up the city’s canals with floating baskets called ‘krathongs,’ saw a modern twist as kids chose virtual rafts over real ones. About 3,000 digital versions were carefully made by participants. They drew colorful ‘krathongs,’ scanned their drawings into computers, and happily watched their artwork displayed on the shiny waters of the Ong Ang Canal.

The reason for this digital change was clear: it was a response to the environmental issues caused by the usual festival. After Loy Krathong, cleaning up became a big task, with canals full of thrown-away physical ‘krathongs.’ Eleven-year-old Jirayada Surapant eloquently explained the positive effect of the digital method, highlighting its role in reducing both tree cutting and waste. The eco-friendly initiative gained notice, especially from the youth. Despite the digital success, releasing 600,000 traditional floats the next day highlighted the delicate balance between preserving traditions and adopting sustainable solutions.